6:31 PM,
Nov. 20, 2013

Written by

Bill Goodykoontz
| Gannett

Well, this was unexpected: "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is a good movie.

Not an OK movie, like the first one, that seemed flat and somehow listless, even while tributes from 12 districts were slaughtering each other for the amusement of the masses. An actual good movie; having Jennifer Lawrence at the center of things helps immeasurably.

Yes, the film, based on the immensely popular Suzanne Collins novels for 'tweens, has plot holes and head-scratching motives galore. Like the "Twilight" franchise, it never forgets its target audience, and if the grown-ups have to raise an eyebrow ...